Container for tactile interaction with food

ABSTRACT

Pet owners cannot tactilely examine, or experience food contained in rigid packaging. This product experience at the point of purchase requires pliable or flexible packaging. However, pliable or flexible packaging has limited ability to stack, both on the store shelf, as well as in the pet owner&#39;s pantry. Provided is a multi-functional container for moist or wet, textured food. The container has rigid sidewalls, a bottom with at least a portion made from a flexible or pliable material or membrane or that provides access to a bag of a flexible or pliable material or membrane, and a lid to seal the opening of the container or the bag. Since the food contacts the flexible or pliable material or membrane, it can be tactilely examined at the point of purchase. If the material or membrane is transparent, the food can also be visibly examined at the point of purchase.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/798,613, filed Jan. 30, 2019, titled“Container for Tactile Interaction with Food,” and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/798,894, filed Jan. 30, 2019, titled“Collapsible Container”, the entireties of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to containers, packaging, andpackaging systems for use for tactile and/or visual interaction withpackaged food products. Specifically, the containers, packaging, andpackaging systems have a structurally rigid material and include aportion(s) made of a pliable and/or flexible membrane material(s), whichprovides for tactile and visual interactions with the food sealed withinthe interior package volume of the container.

Description of the Related Art

Today, commercial packaging available to consumers in the marketplace islimited to either rigid cans and cups or flexible bags and pouches.Commercial packaging largely has a rigid outer structure which does notprovide a consumer with access to tactilely inspect or interact with thepackaged food product, e.g., to evaluate the feel, form, texture, andconsistency of the packaged food product, prior to purchase whileshopping at the store. Conversely, a product can also be packaged in aflexible container such as a bag or pouch, and consumers can experiencelimited interaction with the product's general form and shape prior topurchase. Unfortunately, products packed in flexible packaging cannot betactilely experienced, and the flexible packaging cannot be stacked,which affects how such products can be packaged for shipment and laterdisplayed in the retail market, as well as how such products can bestored in the consumer's pantry after purchase.

Many individual factors contribute to the total perception of a packagedfood product, e.g., texture, color, opacity, translucency, and theconsistency of one or more of these factors. The total perceptioncorrelates with the sensations, including tactile and visual sensationsexperienced when a packaged food product is touched and/or viewed by aconsumer at the point of purchase. Physical characteristics of packagedfood products play a significant role in a consumer's willingness topurchase the packaged food product.

The present invention solves the problems associated with commercialpackaging by providing a container, packaging, or package system, whichis structurally equivalent to a rigid canister or package, therebyproviding an ability to package, stack, and display product on storeshelves and for easy storage in the consumer's pantry. The inventionalso includes a portion made from flexible and/or pliable material whichallows a consumer to tactilely inspect or interact with a packaged foodproduct at the point of purchase. The flexible or pliable material canbe transparent, thereby providing a window to the packaged food productin the container so consumers can visually inspect the packaged foodproduct.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a containerfor a packaged food product. The container has a sidewall of rigidmaterial, and the sidewall has a top edge, an inner surface, an outersurface, and a bottom edge. In this embodiment, the container has abottom surface attached to the bottom edge of the sidewall, and apeelable film attached to the top edge of the sidewall. The bottomsurface and the peelable film are comprised of a flexible or pliablematerial, which is also durable and puncture resistant. The flexible orpliable material is configured to provide tactile interaction with, and,optionally, if transparent, to provide a window to visually inspect foodin the container. The container may also include a lid sealed to the topedge of the sidewall, which completely covers and protects the peelablefilm. The interior surfaces of the sidewall, the peelable film, and theflexible material together define the interior package volume of thecontainer.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a container fora packaged food product that has a rigid sidewall having a top edge anda bottom edge. The container has a lid sealed to the top edge of thesidewall, and a flexible or pliable material sealed to the bottom edgeof the sidewall. Interior surfaces of the sidewall, the lid, and theflexible or pliable material together define the interior package volumeof the container. The flexible or pliable material is durable andpuncture resistant and facilitates tactile and visual interaction acrossthe flexible or pliable material with the packaged food product withinthe interior package volume of the container.

In certain embodiments, the sidewall has the shape of a hollow cylinder,a ring, or a flange, and the lid is operationally connected to thehollow cylinder, the ring, or the flange. In other embodiments, thesidewall can be cylindrical or tapered, flared along its top edge, orhave a shape such as a fish, bone, or a specific cut of meat including,for example, a lamb chop or a poultry drumstick. The sidewall can bemade of metal, plastic, or combinations thereof, which may betransparent, opaque, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the material defining the bottom surface can be aflexible material, such as a plastic containing an oleoresin.

In certain embodiments the sidewall includes at least one window orcut-out for additional tactile and visual interactions with the packagedfood product.

In various embodiments, the lid can be a twist-off lid, a peel-back lid,a pull-top lid, a peelable film or membrane, or an over cap. The lid mayalso comprise a flexible or pliable material.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a containercomprising a sidewall of rigid material defining a bottomless containerhaving an internal surface attached to an internal bladder or bag-likeinsert. The bladder or bag-like insert may also be attached to less thanthe entire circumference of the internal surface of the sidewall, or,alternatively, the bladder or bag-like insert may be attached to the toprim of the sidewall. The internal package volume of the bladder orbag-like insert is less than or equal to the volume defined by theinterior of the sidewall. The opening of the bladder or bag-like insertcan be independently sealed, and the top rim of the sidewall may beoptionally sealed with a lid.

In certain embodiments, the container includes a liner attached to theentire internal surface of the sidewall. The liner may be a flexible orpliable material, a plastic material, a metal material, or a combinationor lamination of any combination thereof. The container may also includea second piece and third piece of flexible or pliable material used toseal the top and bottom edges of the sidewall, thereby defining itsinterior package volume. Furthermore, the second piece and third pieceof the flexible or pliable material may be the same material ordifferent materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the invention, both asto its structure, assembly, and use, will be understood and will becomemore readily apparent when the invention is considered in view of thefollowing descriptions of illustrative embodiments made in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product, which has a rigid, cylindrical-shapedsidewall, a peelable film lid operationally attached to the top of thesidewall, and a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached tothe bottom of the sidewall.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective side view of the exemplarycontainer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the exemplary container shown inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate top perspective views of alternativeembodiments of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product,which has a rigid, cylindrical-shaped sidewall that is bottomless, and atransparent membrane operationally attached to the top of the sidewallby means of a rigid sealing ring, wherein FIG. 4B shows the sidewallwith circumferential indents to add structural support to the sidewall.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary container shown inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product that has a rigid cylindrical-shapedsidewall that is bottomless, a transparent and pliable peelable filmoperationally attached to the top of the sidewall that seals the moistfood product within the container and includes a screw top lid thatcompletely covers and protects the peelable film.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product that has a transparent rigid,cylindrical-shaped sidewall, which is bottomless, bracketed by annularrings.

FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product that has a rigid, tapered sidewall,which is bottomless, having a top end lip that defines an opening of thecontainer, a transparent flexible bag operationally attached to the topend lip of the sidewall, and a peelable film lid attached to the top ofthe sidewall with an adhesive to close the container and seal the foodproduct within.

FIG. 5C, illustrates a cross sectional view of an alternative embodimentof the exemplary container shown in FIG. 5B, but where the transparentflexible bag is also operationally attached to the bottom of thesidewall to define a bottom surface.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary bottomlesscontainer filled with a moist food product, which has a transparentmembrane operationally attached to the top of a rigid, flared sidewall.

FIG. 6B illustrates a top perspective view of multiple stackedcontainers shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A illustrates a partially-exploded view of two exemplarycontainers filled with moist food product stacked in a top-to-topconfiguration, where each container has a rigid sidewall that isbottomless and has a top end lip that defines an opening of thecontainer, a transparent flexible bag operationally attached to the topend lip of the sidewall, and a peelable film lid operationally attachedto the top of the sidewall to close the container and seal the foodproduct within the container.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary container stack shownin FIG. 7A.

FIGS. 8A-D illustrate perspective views of a consumer using an exemplarycontainer filled with a moist food product, which has a transparentflexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid,cylindrical-shaped sidewall.

FIGS. 9A-F illustrate additional perspective views of a consumer usingthe exemplary container shown in FIGS. 8A-D.

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexiblemembrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, fish-shapedsidewall.

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexiblemembrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, bone-shapedsidewall.

FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexiblemembrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid,rectangular-shaped sidewall.

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexiblemembrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, tall,cylindrical-shaped sidewall.

FIG. 14A illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexiblemembrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid,cylindrical-shaped sidewall that includes a circular cut-out section.

FIG. 14B illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexiblemembrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid,cylindrical-shaped sidewall that includes a rectangular cut-out section.

FIG. 14C illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary containerfilled with a moist product, which has a transparent flexible membraneoperationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, cylindrical-shapedsidewall that includes a fish-shaped cut-out section.

FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary containerin which the sidewall is configured with collapsible accordion bellows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative and alternative embodiments and operational details of thecontainer for food of the invention are discussed in further detailbelow with reference to the figures of this application. The variousembodiments of containers 10 of the invention are configured to providea sealed interior package volume for a packaged food product 22 on theorder of one ounce or more, e.g., a single serve size of about 2.5ounces, or other sizes such as 5 ounces or 12 ounces, whereby thecontents of the sealed package is accessible for a consumer's tactileand/or visual inspection and interaction in a safe, hygienic, andnon-destructive manner by using a pliable or flexible membrane materialto comprise a portion of the exterior surface of the container 10.

In this disclosure, the term “pliable” is used in reference to amaterial which can be easily distorted and deformed without exceedingits yield and/or tensile strength when external forces are present orapplied and does not return to its original form when the force isreleased or removed. The term “flexible” is used in reference to amaterial which is easily distorted and deformed without exceeding itsyield or tensile strength when external forces are applied and return toits undistorted or undeformed state or revert to and closely resembleits undistorted or undeformed state when the force is released orremoved.

The embodiments of the container 10 are configured for use with packagedfood products 22 including pet food or human food. The packaged foodproducts 22 can be sealed within the interior package volume of thecontainer 10 so that the food product 22 can be commercially processedto be shelf stable and/or ready to eat, and then packaged, transported,stored, and distributed in commerce. The term “shelf stable” is used inreference to a commercially-processed food that can be safely andhygienically stored at room temperature in a sealed container. Shelfstable products include “ready-to-eat food” products, which arecommercially-processed foods, which will generally be eaten by aconsumer or pet after opening the container containing the packaged foodproduct without further processing.

Specifically, the inventive container 10 is useful for packaging foodfor pets or humans. The three basic classes of pet food—wet (a.k.a.moist), semi-moist, and dry—are classified based on moisture content.Moisture content refers to the total water content of a pet food,whether the water was added as free water, a component of theingredients used in the pet food, or mixtures thereof. Wet or moist petfood contains high water content, e.g., more than 50 percent by weightmoisture and more particularly in the range of about 65-85%. This typeof pet food is highly palatable and requires commercial processing tostabilize it as a ready-to-eat or shelf-stable product for pets.Semi-moist pet food contains about 15 to about 50 percent by weightmoisture. Semi-moist pet food is shelf stable in standard polyethylenepackages or other conventional packages and does not require asepticprocessing to be shelf stable. Dry pet food contains up to about 15percent moisture by weight and is the most stable of the three classesof pet food. Dry pet food requires neither the aseptic canning of themoist pet food, nor the wrapping of the semi-moist pet food.

The inventive container 10 is particularly useful for packaging pâtés,wet and semi-wet cat food or dog food, consumer food, food service,peanut butter, and frosting. The inventive container 10 is also usefulfor packaging meat in a broth and various conventional pet foodingredients suspended in a gelatin or a paste.

While shopping, consumers will be drawn to the familiar shape associatedwith conventional packaging, which the inventive container 10 resembles.For example, the inventive container 10 may include branding graphicsspecifically designed to call out features of the container 10 and itsuse and/or the packaged food product 22. Upon closer examination,consumers will discover that they can see and even indirectly touch thepackaged food product in a safe, hygienic, and non-destructive manner,by way of the container's pliable or flexible membrane provided alongthe exterior of the container 10.

More specifically, the flexible or pliable material or membrane, whichis durable and puncture resistant, allows a consumer to tactilelyinspect the product 22 at the point of purchase, including experiencingthe feel, form, texture, and consistency of the packaged food product.The flexible or pliable material or membrane may also be transparent,which allows a consumer to visually inspect the product 22 from the top,side, or the underside of the inventive container 10, as well.

Preferably, the container 10 can be shaped like a tub, can, cup,cylinder, or the like. Alternative shapes include, but are not limitedto, cylindrical, frustoconical, and tray-like.

Container Embodiments

FIGS. 1-3 show a container 10 comprising one or more rigid sidewalls 14,which have a hard, outer structure. The sidewall 14 forms the overallcylindrical shape of the container 10 and defines a container 10 that isbottomless and topless. For example, the sidewall 14 defines a cylinder.In such embodiments, a first flexible or pliable material 18 is attachedto the bottom end 16 of the side wall 14 and a second material 12, whichcan be a flexible or pliable membrane or a peelable film having a peeltab 20, may be attached to the top end 24 of the side wall 14. In suchembodiments, the consumer may tactilely or visually interact with thepackaged food product 22 in the container 10 through the top or thebottom of the container 10.

FIGS. 1-3 show the container 10 also including a bottom surface 18 madefrom flexible or pliable material or membrane, which is durable andpuncture resistant. The bottom surface 18 attaches to the bottom end 16of the rigid sidewall 14, which may be in the shape of a ring, a flange,or a lip.

FIGS. 1-3 show a lid 12 attached to the top end 24 of the rigid sidewall14. The lid 12 hermetically seals the interior package volume of thecontainer 10 which contains and retains packaged food product 22 in thecontainer 10. If a reusable lid 12 is used, then the rigid sidewalls 14include a mechanism to operatively engage with the reusable lid 12, suchas a set of threads on the rigid sidewall 14 and a corresponding andmatching set of threads on the lid 12. Alternatively, the rigid sidewall14 can be sealed directly with a material, such as a peelable film,e.g., metal foil, plastic, or laminated metal foil and/or plastic,functioning as a single-use or resealable lid 12. In this instance, thepeelable film also includes a peel tab 20 that can be used to pull offand discard the peelable film.

Elaborating further on the container shown in FIGS. 1-3, the peelablefilm lid 12 can be made from a flexible or pliable material attached tothe top end 24 of a rigid sidewall 14, which is in addition to theflexible or pliable material attached to the bottom end 16 of the rigidsidewall 14. Optionally, an overcap (not shown) can be used inconjunction with the peelable film lid 12, e.g., completely covering thepeelable film in order to protect it, and this may also be attached tothe rigid sidewall 14. This exemplary embodiment of the inventionprovides a plastic cylindrical sidewall 14 and a pliable, multi-layerflexible material as the bottom surface 18, where the peelable film lid12 seals the container and is fitted with a suitable peel tab 20.

FIGS. 4A-D show a container 10 comprised of a rigid sidewall 14, whichis cylindrical in shape. In embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A-4B forexample, a flexible or pliable membrane is sealed to the bottom 16 ofthe rigid sidewall 14 and forms the bottom surface (not shown) of thecontainer 10. The sidewall 14 may have one or more circumferentialindents 32, as shown in FIG. 4B, to provide structural stability to thesidewall 14. Further, in embodiments shown in FIGS. 4C-D, for example,the sidewall 14 may form a bottomless container, and the flexible orpliable membrane is provided in the form of a bladder or bag-like insert34 attached to the top end 24 of the sidewall 14, and the sidewall 14may also include a ring, a flange, or a lip, in order to effectivelyengage with the lid 12 when the container is closed. The lid 12 may becomprised of a sealing ring with a transparent top surface, as shown inFIGS. 4A-4C, or it may be a screw top lid as depicted in FIG. 4D.

FIGS. 5A-C show various embodiments of a container 10 comprised of arigid sidewall 14.

Specifically, FIG. 5A shows a container 10 with a transparent, rigidsidewall 14 having annular ring-like brackets 36 provided at the top andbottom of the sidewall 14. A bladder or bag-like liner 34 made of apliable or flexible material may be attached to the upper edge of thesidewall 14, where the portion of the bladder or bag-like liner that isadjacent to the to the bottom end 16 of the sidewall forms the bottomsurface 18. Alternatively, another flexible or pliable membrane may besealed to the bottom edge of the sidewall 14, becoming part of theoverall bottom surface 18 and thereby bolstering its strength. Apeelable film lid 12 having a peel tab 20 is also shown attached to thetop edge of the sidewall 14.

Specifically, FIG. 5B shows a container 10 with a rigid sidewall 14having an annular ring-like bracket 36 provided at the top of thesidewall 14 and having a bottom flange 30. The container 10 includes abladder or bag-like liner 34 made of a pliable or flexible material,where the portion of the bladder or bag-like liner that is adjacent tothe bottom end 16 of the sidewall in combination with the bottom flange30 forms the bottom surface 18. A peelable film lid (not shown) having apeel tab 20 is also attached to the top edge of the sidewall 14.

Specifically, FIG. 5C shows a container 10 with a rigid sidewall 14which may include a top flange 28 at its top end 24 and a bottom flange30 at its bottom end 16. The container 10 includes a form fittingbag-like liner 35 made from a flexible or pliable membrane placed withinthe rigid sidewall 14 where the top and the bottom of this liner areattached along the circumference of the surface 13 of the top end 24 andthe bottom end 16 of the sidewalls 14. In such an embodiment, theportion of the bag-like liner 35 residing between the points ofattachment to the bottom flange 30 forms the bottom surface 18.

In these embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the pliable or flexiblemembrane or bladder or bag-like liner, along with the interior surfaceof the lid 12, define the internal package volume, which may be filledwith packaged food product in an amount that is equal to or less thanthe internal package volume of the container 10.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a container 10 comprised of a rigid sidewall 14,which is flared and/or tapered out around the top edge of the sidewall14. As depicted in FIG. 6A, the sidewall 14 forms a bottomless container10. In such an embodiment, the flexible or pliable membrane may spanacross and attach to the top end 24 of the sidewall 14, forming a topsurface 38, and/or when the flexible or pliable membrane comprises abladder or bag-like liner filled with a moist product, it may also formthe bottom surface (not shown) of the container 10. The pliable orflexible bladder or bag-like liner may be attached along thecircumference of both the top end 24 and the bottom end 16 of thesidewalls or, alternatively, the pliable or flexible bladder or bag-likeliner may only be attached at the top end 24 of the sidewall 14.Additionally, the container 10 may be sealed with a lid (not shown).

Furthermore, two or more containers 10 may be nested if the bottomsurface of each container 10 has a diameter that is equal to or lessthan the internal diameter of its top surface 38. Alternatively, two ormore identical, but irregularly-shaped containers (e.g., containers thatdo not have a diameter) may also be nested if the distance along theouter boundary of the bottom end of the sidewall of each container isless than the distance along the inner boundary of the top end of thesidewall of each container. As depicted in FIG. 6B, such a configurationpermits the bottom end 16 of the sidewall 14 of one container 10 to nestwithin or on top of the top end 24 of the sidewall 14 of a secondcontainer 10. Additionally, the lid (not shown) associated with eachcontainer 10 may be configured with a flange or other structure havingan inset to receive a portion of the bottom of another container 10.This arrangement promotes stacking of multiple containers 10 forpackaging efficiency. The lid may also be configured to display graphicsand/or instructions for use.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show two bottomless containers 10, each comprised of arigid sidewall 14, which is cylindrical in shape. In this embodiment,the flexible or pliable membrane for each container 10 is a bladder orbag-like insert 34 attached to the top end 24 of the sidewall 14, whichis sealed with a lid 12 comprising a peelable film having a peel tab 20.As depicted in FIG. 7B, the external surface of the lid 12 of theinverted first container 10 may be joined to the external surface of thelid 12 of a second container 10 with an adhesive, e.g., a compressionactivated or thermoset adhesive, which provides a bond strong enough tosecure the containers 10 together for packaging and shipment, whilepermitting the containers 10 to be separated for use without disruptingthe seal of peelable film associated with the lid 12 and/or theattachment of the pliable or flexible membranes with the sidewalls 14 ofeach of the containers 10.

FIGS. 14A-C show various embodiments of a container 10, which contain apackaged food product 22, comprising a rigid sidewall 14 having at leastone window or cut-out portion 26. As depicted in FIGS. 14A-C, the windowor cut-out portion 26 can be oval, square, or have some other uniqueshape, for example, a fish shape. Alternatively, any number ofadditional shapes such as a circle, a star, a pig, a cow, or a specificcut of meat including, for example, a lamb chop or a poultry drumstick,or any other custom-made configuration could be used. The window orcut-out portion 26 should be suitably sized to permit a consumer totactilely and/or visually interact with the packaged food product 22contained therein through the window or cut-out portion 26. The windowor cut-out portion 26 provides access to the pliable or flexiblematerial defining the internal package volume of the container 10.

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of a container 10, which contains amoist food product 22, comprised of a rigid sidewall 14 havingcollapsible operability of the rigid sidewall 14 during use. As depictedin FIG. 15, the sidewall 14 includes accordion bellows 40 which promoteoperably collapsing the container 10 along its longitudinal axis toextract packaged food product 22 from the container 10 without the needto handle the food product 22.

Certain alternative structural and operable features of the embodimentsof the containers 10 are described in further detail below.

Tactile Interaction

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-7B and 10-14C, the container 10 permits aconsumer to tactilely inspect the feel, form, texture, and consistencyof packaged food product 22 contained in the interior package volume ofcontainer 10, as well as to optionally visually inspect the food productif the bottom surface 18 is transparent. Specifically, the flexibleand/or pliable material, which may be used to form the top surface 38,and/or the bottom surface 18, and/or or the bladder or bag-like insert34 or liner 35, is responsive to touch and will move when pressure isapplied, but may rebound to its original shape quickly or over time whenthe force is removed. The flexible or pliable material may beimpermeable to gases and liquids and may also be food-grade and,therefore, safe for use with food. The material may be selected as beinggenerally recognized as safe (GRAS).

The pliable or flexible material can be a single material such as anelastomeric, a silicone, a rubber, a plastic or thermoplastic material(e.g., any plastic material used for the sidewall 14, as well anymaterial used to form the sidewall), or a metal foil, or a single ormulti-layer hybrid material including, for example, multilayered orlaminated plastics or plastic(s) with or without a metal foil film.These materials can be molded, thermoformed, laminated, or extruded toform a membrane suitable for use as the top surface 38, the bottomsurface 18, the bladder or bag-like insert 34, or liner 35. The pliableor flexible material may be an aluminum oxide coated plastic orthermoplastic.

In embodiments, the flexible or pliable material may comprise resins,waxes, fats, fatty oils, oxygen scavengers, oleoresins, or balsams.

The membrane is selected to be sufficiently thick, in order to resistpuncture, but not so thick that a consumer is prevented from being ableto tactilely inspect the packaged food product 22, indirectly, at thepoint of purchase to evaluate its feel, form, texture, and consistency.

In other embodiments, a first flexible or pliable membrane may define acoating of the internal surface 13 of the sidewall 10. Such a coatingmay be made of food grade material with the top and bottom of thesidewall 10 sealed with a second and third flexible or pliable membraneattached at the top end 24 and the bottom end 16 of the sidewall 14. Insuch embodiments, for structural stability, the sidewalls 14 may notinclude a window or cut-out portion 26.

In various embodiment, the flexible or pliable material or membrane maybe attached to the top end 24, the bottom end 16, or, in whole or inpart, on the internal surface 13 of the rigid sidewall 14 between thetop end 24 and the bottom end 16. It can be stretched or pre-formed tocreate a cavity that defines the internal package volume of thecontainer 10 and which maintains the food in a safe and hygienic manner.In all embodiments of the container 10, the cavity dimension isdetermined by the height of the rigid sidewalls 14, and the overallcavity volume is limited by the overall volume of assembled container10. Typically, the internal package volume can be proportioned so thatthe package food product 22 can be packaged to yield a consumer-sizedpackage (e.g., single- or multi-serve) or an institutional bulk package.

Sidewall

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-7B and 10-14C, a rigid sidewall 14 isprovided in the various embodiments of the container 10. In certainembodiments, the material forming the rigid sidewall 14 may also form aportion of the bottom surface 18. In such embodiments, see, e.g., FIG.5C, the material of the rigid sidewall 14 may extend toward a centeraxis of the container 10 at the bottom end 16 to form a partial orentire bottom surface 18. The bottom surface 18 may be configured to bepliable, flexible, and/or rigid, depending on the thickness and/ornature of the material used to form the rigid material of the sidewall14. In an embodiment, a single material can be used to form the rigidsidewall 14, as well as the bottom surface 18, which may be thinner thanthe rigid sidewall 14 and serve as a pliable or flexible material fortactile interaction with the packaged food product in the container.

The rigid material is comprised of a polymeric material, includingplastic and thermoplastic materials. Suitable plastic materials can beselected from the group consisting of ethylene polymers, propylenepolymers, styrene polymers, vinyl chloride polymers, halogenated olefinpolymers, vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, polyamides, siliconepolymers, polymers coated with aluminum oxide and/or other metal oxides,polyacetals, poly ethers polycarbonates, polyesters, polyurethanes,polysulfides, polysulphones, petroleum resins, coumaroneidene resins,silicon rubbers, amino-resins, epoxide resins, alkyd resins, polyallylesters, and combinations thereof. The material must be a food-gradematerial meaning that it is safe for direct contact with food. Thematerial can also include one or more layers of other materialsincluding metal foils.

Ethylene polymers include, for example and without limitation,polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-densitypolyethylene (LDPE), very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE), and linearlow-density polyethylene (LLDPE). Propylene polymers include, forexample and without limitation, polypropylene (PP). Styrene polymersinclude, for example and without limitation, polystyrene (PS), expandedpolystyrene (EPS), general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS), and styrenebutadiene rubber (SBR). Vinyl chloride polymers include, for example andwithout limitation, polyvinyl chloride. Vinyl acetate polymers include,for example and without limitation, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) andpolyvinyl acetate (PVA). Acrylic polymers include, for example andwithout limitation, polycaclylonitrile (PAN) and poly methylmethacrylate (PMMA). Polyacetals including, for example and withoutlimitation, polyoxymethylene (POM) and polyethylene oxide (PEO)Polyamindes include, for example and without limitation, aliphatic,semi-aromatic, and aromatic polyamides. Combination materials may, forexample and without limitation, include a blend of acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), andpolyethylene terephthalate (PET)—a material having high temperatureresistance as well as impact strength.

The sidewalls 14 can be made by thermoforming, rolling, or extruding asa shaped tube and then cutting the tube to a desired size. Suitablesidewall thicknesses for imparting desired functional characteristicsrange from about 1-10 mil. One embodiment of a container 10 has acapacity for from about 3 to 12 ounces of packaged food product. Anotherembodiment of a container 10 has a height of from about 1 to 5 inches.However, these embodiments are only examples and larger and smaller, aswell as shorter and taller containers are also contemplated.

The sidewall 14 may also be enhanced with an additional rigid materialsuch as metal, hard plastic, or a composite to impart rigidity to thesidewall 14.

The sidewall 14 provides structural support to the container andprotection of the packaged food product sealed in the container 10. Thispromotes stacking multiple containers for shipment, shelf display, andconsumer storage in the home. The sidewalls 14 provide space forbranding graphics or a window to draw attention to the packaged foodproduct.

The sidewalls 14 are formed to have any conventional shape including,but not limited to, round, oval, and rectangular shapes, see, e.g.,FIGS. 12, 13, 14 a and 14 b. Alternatively, the sidewall 14 can beformed to have unique shapes including, but not limited to, shapes suchas stars, fish, bones, animals such as a pig, and specific cuts of meatincluding, for example, chicken legs or pork chops, see, e.g., FIG. 10and FIG. 11.

In other embodiments, the rigid sidewalls 14 and the pliable or flexiblematerial that comprises the bottom surface 18 are the same material withdifferent thicknesses.

Lid

Many conventional lids are suitable for use with the container 10. Thecontainer 10 may include a lid 12 which hermetically seals the container10 to maintain packaged food product in the container 10 and,optionally, provides the ability to reseal unused packaged food productfor later use. The lid 12 can be attached to the top end 24 of thesidewall 14 using known methods in the packaging industry including, butnot limited to, attachment by way of a snap ring, screw fitment, or useof any other conventional fastening or attachment mechanism, such as,for example, heat sealing the lid to fuse it to the top of the sidewall,use of thermoset or pressure set adhesives, or the like. For example,the rim of the rigid sidewall 14 may include a flange 28 that allows fora re-closable lid 12 to be secured to the top end 24 of the sidewall 14.

The lid 12 can be made of a rigid, a semi-rigid, or a flexible material.In other embodiments, the lid 12 may be a peelable film that may,optionally, include a peel tab 20, or the lid may be a screw-on lid. Forexample, the lid 12 can be made from a semi-rigid, rotary, blow-moldedplastic, which includes branding graphics or designs in the lid mold.The lid 12 can also be transparent, translucent, or opaque, based, inpart, on the desire for optical inspection or display of the packagedfood product, and/or the need to limit light entering the container 10.

The lid 12 has a size and shape that matches the size and shape of thesidewalls 14 on which it attaches. For example, the lid 12 can have anyconventional shape including, but not limited to, round, oval, andrectangular shapes, and can also have unique shapes including, but notlimited to shapes such as stars, fish, chicken legs, pork chops, etc.,or any other shape designed to match the shape of the containersidewalls and suitably function to seal the container when closed. Oneembodiment of a lid 12 fits a container having capacity for about 3 to12 ounces of product. However, this embodiment is only an example andlarger and smaller lids 12 are also contemplated. Suitable lidthicknesses for imparting desired functional characteristics range fromabout 1-10 mil.

Alternatively, embodiments are contemplated wherein the top of thesidewalls 14 are sealed directly with a peelable film functioning as aprimary closure that is pulled off and discarded. In such cases, the lid12, if present, is a secondary, reusable closure (i.e., an over cap)that fully covers the top of container and encompasses and protects thepeelable film and which also reversibly attaches to the top end 24 ofthe rigid sidewalls 14. Suitable peelable films include laminated films,metal foils, plastics, and laminated combinations thereof. The peelablefilm can be attached to the top of the sidewalls 14 using any variety ofsealing elements produced from several distinct types of materialsincluding, but not limited to, heat sealing with or without the use ofthermoset or pressure activated adhesives.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reusable closure or lid 12 may includean attached utensil suitable for scooping product out of the container10.

Further, alternative embodiments of the inventive container are alsocontemplated herein. For example, the inventive container 10 may be madeas a single-piece, using any number of materials such as metal, plastic(injection, blow molded or thermoformed), or composites. Thissingle-piece construction comprises an outer shell having separateportions that function as the sidewall and the bottom surface. The outershell can be made using a deep draw thermoform application with avariable nominal wall thickness, and this creates a thicker portionsuitable for use as a sidewall and a thinner portion suitable for use asa bottom surface.

All materials used to make the container of the invention are suitablefor, i.e., capable of withstanding, exposure to thermal or non-thermalconditions used in commercial processing including, but not limited to,retort processing for pasteurization or sterilization, asepticprocessing, and high- and ultra-high-pressure processing (HPP/UHP).

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a consumer using the container 10 to ejectpackaged food products 22 from within the internal package volume. InFIGS. 8A-8D, the container 10 includes a bottom surface 18 comprising atransparent, flexible membrane which is operably attached to a rigid,cylindrical-shaped sidewall 14. The steps for removing the packaged foodproducts 22 can include optionally inverting the container 10, as shownin sequence in FIGS. 8A-8B; removing a peelable film lid 12 having apeel tab 20, shown in FIG. 8C, and finally exerting external force tothe bottom of the transparent, flexible membrane to eject the packagedcontents from the container 10. Additionally, FIGS. 9A-9F illustrate aconsumer using the container 10 shown in FIG. 1. The steps for ejectingthe packaged food product of the container 10 include removing thepeelable film lid 12, as shown in FIGS. 9C-9D; flipping the opencontainer 10 shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, and then placing force on theflexible bottom of the container 10 sufficiently to push out thepackaged food product 22 into a bowl shown in FIGS. 9E-9F.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, these embodiments are illustrative only and not limiting.Many other applications and embodiments of the invention will beapparent in light of this disclosure and the following claims.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention embraces all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations as falling within the scopeof the claims below.

1. A container for food comprising: a bottom surface of flexible orpliable material, the flexible or pliable material configured to providetactile interaction with food in the container; a sidewall of rigidmaterial, the sidewall having a top edge and a bottom edge; and a lidsealed to the top edge of the sidewall; and wherein, the bottom surfaceis attached to the bottom edge of the sidewall, and the sidewall, thelid, and the flexible material define the interior of the container. 2.A container for food comprising: a sidewall of rigid material, thesidewall having a top edge and a bottom edge; a lid sealed to the topedge of the sidewall; and a bottom attached to the bottom edge of thesidewall, wherein the bottom comprises flexible or pliable material, andwherein the sidewall, the lid, and the flexible or pliable materialdefine the interior package volume of the container, and wherein thebottom is configured to facilitate tactile and/or visual interactionacross the flexible or pliable material with contents in the interiorpackage volume of the container.
 3. The container of claim 1, whereinthe rigid sidewall further comprises a ring or flange, and wherein thelid is operationally connected to the ring or flange.
 4. The containerof claim 1, wherein the rigid material comprises metal, plastic, andcombinations thereof.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the rigidmaterial comprises a transparent material, an opaque material orcombination thereof.
 6. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottomflexible material comprises a plastic containing an oleoresin.
 7. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the bottom flexible material comprises atransparent material, an opaque material or mixtures thereof.
 8. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the lid is a pull top lid.
 9. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the lid is a peelable film.
 10. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a flexiblematerial.
 11. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall comprises a3-dimensional shape selected from the group consisting of a cylinder, atapered cylinder, a square, a fish, and a bone.
 12. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the sidewall comprises a cylinder having at least onecircumferential indentation.
 13. The container of claim 12, wherein thebottom edge of the container has a circumferential length that is equalto or less than the circumferential length of an interior of the topedge of the container.
 14. The container of claim 1, wherein thesidewall includes at least one bellow.
 15. The container of claim 1,wherein the sidewall includes at least one window configured to provideaccess to the flexible material in the container.
 16. The container ofclaim 1, wherein a liner is provided along an interior surface of thesidewall.
 17. A container for food comprising: a bag made of a firstpiece of flexible or pliable material, the bag comprising a closedbottom, an open edge, and a wall between the closed bottom and said openend; a sidewall of rigid material, wherein the sidewall has an internalsurface and a first volume associated therewith, an opposite externalsurface, a top edge and a bottom edge; and a lid sealed to the open edgeof the bag to thereby define a second volume; and wherein, the bag isattached to at least a portion of the internal surface of the sidewall,the second volume is less than or equal to the first volume, and the bagdefines an interior of the container.
 18. The container of claim 17wherein the bag defines a liner and is attached to the entire internalsurface of the sidewall.
 19. The container of claim 17 wherein the bagis attached to at least a portion of the circumference of the internalsurface associated with the top edge of the sidewall.
 20. The containerof claim 18, further comprising a second piece of flexible or pliablematerial residing under the lid and sealed to the top edge along theentire circumference of the internal surface.
 21. The container of claim20, wherein the second piece of flexible or pliable material comprisesthe same type of material as the first piece of flexible material.